Grass-roots volunteer to lead O.C. Democrats

Henry Vandermeir, who cashed in a successful career writing computer books so he could spend much of the past 15 years as a political activist, was elected chairman of the Democratic Party of Orange County on Monday night by the county party's governing Central Committee.

Vandermeir, who bested gay activist Jeff LeTourneau in a 36-21 vote, replaces Santa Ana attorney Frank Barbaro, who stepped down after leading the county party for the past 12 years.

At a time when the county GOP's dominance over Democrats is steadily shrinking, Vandermeir has vowed to up the ante. While Barbaro is well-liked in the party, his day job has limited his time working on party business.

"This is a big change for us," said Bill Honigman, a Central Committee member and state coordinator of the Progressive Democrats of America. "Now we have somebody with a clear idea of how to organize the party. We can move ahead as an activist organization. I appreciate what Frank did, but I appreciate that he stepped down for this."

Barbaro was given a lengthy standing ovation as he turned the podium over to Vandermeir, a 54-year-old Ladera Ranch resident.

In recent weeks, Vandermeir has pitched a two-year strategic plan to committee members and has demonstrated his fundraising abilities by rounding up $80,000 in pledges to the party.

Vandermeir started his activism with the South Orange County Democratic Club, working his way up to positions at the county and state party levels. He currently serves as chairman of the California Democratic Council, which supports grass-roots Democratic clubs, and as part-time executive director of the Democratic Foundation of Orange County, a group of about 115 of the county's most generous Democratic donors. He plans to continue in the latter post.

LeTourneau's strengths came from a decade of union experience and 15 years leading the Elections Committee of the County of Orange, which raised $2 million for backing gay-friendly candidates throughout the state.

After the results were announced, LeTourneau and Vandermeir vowed to maintain a positive working relationship. And Vandermeir was clearly eager to dive in, telling the Central Committee that preparations for the 2014 elections will begin at the committee's meeting in two weeks.

After initially filing this story, I receive the following comment from Dan Jacobson, chairman of the Democratic Foundation of Orange County:

The Foundation congratulates Henry Vandermeir on his election to Chair of the Party. Henry is a fantastic organizer and leader. He's smart; he's good-hearted; and, he's energetic.

Henry will remain executive director of the Foundation. This means that the Party and the Foundation are about to embark on an unprecedented, hand-in-glove era of cooperation and coordination. This all happening as Orange County's Democrats were about to enter into a golden age anyway. Now that golden age stands to become platinum.

We thank Frank Barbaro for 12 years of great leadership and stewardship, and we look forward to continue to work with Frank.

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